Several years ago, when I was in the first throws of my New Romantic love affair, a friend told me about something she’d seen on ITV a few years prior, called Hunting Venus. It starred Martin Clunes as the floppy-shirted bassist and Neil Morrissey as the flamboyant lead singer of a New-Rom group called The Venus Hunters, who are kidnapped and blackmailed into reforming the group. Danny Webb appears to be doing a mighty fine impression of Andy Taylor, I’m not quite sure which drummer Ben Miller was inspired by but I’m fairly certain Mark Williams is only channeling Nick Rhodes sartorially. Either that or he’s seen some interview I missed out on….
She loved it so much that she bought the soundtrack and recently gifted it to me in a clear-out. By now I’ve got most of the tracks on there anyway, but it’s still a nice thing to have. I never did see it at the time, and I still can’t find any evidence of it having been released on DVD. I desperately want to see it now, of course, especially after finding it on YouTube. In poor quality and with the soundtrack disabled for several parts, I’m not sure I want that to be the first time I get to see it.
Anyway, because the title track (Starburst; co-written by Jools Holland no less) has been stuck in my head ALL day and making me laugh like a drain every time (yes, I have a childish sense of humour) I thought I would inflict share a clip with you. Watch out for Simon Le Bon, Tony Hadley AND Gary Numan making cameo appearances. Why has this not been released? Why??
Liz Eggleston 
hello lovely! (charley here)just found this . . . http://memories-tv.com/detailsvenus.htm?gclid=CJqNq66CwZ0CFVtn4wodGS_rrgapparently Neil M's character name is Charlotte . . . strange . . .i really want to see it now too!that is Yas next to Simon too isn't it?! or maybe the drugs im taking for this cold are making me hallucinate . . . xx
I believe that IS indeed Yasmin next to Simon, looking irritatingly awesome as ever. And I think the Neil Morrissey character has become a transvestite in the intervening 15 years (hence the name Charlotte…)Senti appears to have found an unofficial copy which can be bought so I might have to invest. Mandatory viewing I think…. 😉
I actually remember watching this! I was 15 at the time so it was still when I was an obsessive new romantic. I had totally forgotten about this show but it was great fun- I just sent my mum the youtube link cause she thought it was hilarious too. I hope you get to watch it!
yes,I saw that and loved it-but had forgotten about it!Actually,I just found your blog,and you are reminding me of a lot of things….some of which are embarrassing,but some of which are wonderful,like using a cassete recorder to record "My Way"when it first came out,before the days of video,and goign to see Duran Duran at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in 1983 or 1984-can't quite remember……..ooooo!!!